Takin' Philly by Storm Aug 2008

Well lot's of thing have happened since my last post. The Mystic Art show was good. The weather was perfect and I had good sales.  You really can not ask for more. I was to stay on in Mystic through Thursday, arriving in Mount Gretna Thursday evening, just in time for the early morning art show set up.  Rob was able to get away for a few days and we decided to meet in  Philadelphia for a few days and just do the  tacky tourist thing like nobody's business! I packed up the tent early Monday morning and headed to Philly.  With traffic and rain, I was able to pick up Rob at the airport at 3:00 and we headed to the hotel. Rob had reserved a spot in the Convention Center District. It was a great location. So many things that we wanted to see and do were right there in waking distance. We pulled out our bags and parked the van for the duration. You know, after spending 2 weeks in a campsite, the hotel was very welcome. What luxury!

After settling in we head to the streets. Our friend, Mike Gallager, gave us a list of must eat and drink while in Philly, so time to get started!! We walked over to the Nodding head for a great dinner and brew. Then we headed over to The Monk. Everything was great! Thanks Mike!! We took a leisurely stroll back through town to our hotel. I am so impressed with all of the public art. It is everywhere. The next day we did all of the tourist things we could fit in. We rode the DUCK through town and up and down the Delaware River, saw the liberty bell and more. We had a blast . For Rob's last bit with me, we drove to Pottsville PA.  Rob was finally able to fulfill a dream an tour  the Yuengling brewery. It is a very interesting tour and our guide was a true delight. Now I am off to another art show. The weather should be great this weekend, so wish me luck!!

Cheers!

Dawn

Photos from the iron pour at Elliott Street Pub April 2009

Heating up the furnace. It will get to about 3000 degrees.

Now they are pouring the molten iron into the molds.

That is my tree sizzling in the sand.

Next they pour the iron into a mold made of ice.

.

Pretty crazy!

None of us could believe how long the ice stayed solid. It only boiled and sizzled at the bottom.

Now we all thought there would be an explosion when they poured the ice.....check out what happens with just regular old wood. It was like fireworks. What fun!!

Art sales are going well and the weather is beautiful! March 2008

My Florida trip is winding down so let me go over the highlights.

Juno Beach – great beach, pretty good sales. A lady came in and bought all three of my fruit paintings. It was a complete impulse buy on her part, but she loved them and had to have them. The coolest sale of that show was a college boy who purchased a 15 x 15 garden scene. When I asked him if he knew where it was going he said,” No, I am in school, I am just buying work that I really like for when I graduate and have a house.” How awesome is that?

Jonathan State Park was a great place to camp. There were miles and miles of cycling trails on road and off. I look forward to coming back….Just beware of the overly aggressive raccoons.

Key Biscayne – Beautiful Key – See photos. I sold a big one here! Oh happy day. An Evening Stroll went to a couple from LaGrange GA, so I will be driving around with it until we can meet in Atlanta on April 1st. I also sold a few small pieces to a lovely woman from Mississippi. I stayed a few extra days and got in some great cycling, I rode my bike from Miami over to Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. It was only about 30 mile round trip and the only hills are the bridges. Nice!

My last night in Miami, my van was attacked by thieves in the hotel parking lot. The crooks made of with all of my painting supplies and tools, but the paintings were all safe and there was little damage to the van. I found a home Depot and Utrecht and was able to purchase the minimum. Thank God they did not make off with any of my display. What better way to retaliate a theft than go to the Fairchild Botanical Gardens? A good three-hour walk through the gardens and life was good again and I headed the van to Naples. I will let you know all about Koreshan State Park. Cheers! Dawn

Back from San Marco and into the studio! March 2008

I had a good time in Jacksonville for the San Marco Festival. A good friend I hadn't seen in years came out and I was also able to have dinner with family. Good times had by all!

Sales at the show turned out to be a good despite the rain and heavy winds on Sunday. Saturday was a perfect day, plenty of sun and a perfect 75 degrees. Despite the great day sales just were average. I had no sales on Sunday, but I received a phone call on Monday morning and was commissioned to create four paintings for a couple that I spoke with on Sun. If you are going out shopping in bad weather, I guess you are serious. I have already gotten started. I will have photos up as soon as a make a little progress.

The photo above is of a 36 x30 that I have been working on the the past few weeks. It is a horrible photo, but the painting seems to finally be taking shape. I went by the Taco Mac last night to photograph the signs and little details for the painting. I hope to finish in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Cheers!

Dawn

The Great Chattahoochee River Paint Out Feb 2009

This seems like it would be alot of fun and it is only $35.00. Registration deadline is August 1st. Maybe I will see you out there.
-Dawn

MAKE YOUR PLANS TO PARTICIPATE! AUGUST 12 – 15, 2009
Professional and amateur artists gather for 3 days of painting in the beautiful Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area at Island Ford and select sites along the Chattahoochee River in Roswell. You will find tranquility, inspiration and beauty for you and your work as you enjoy three days of on-site painting at specified locations.

Registration Form download. (click link for general information and print out pages)

A map will be provided and you will choose the location(s) where you would like to paint. The event will be open to the public for viewing as the artists paint.

SPECIAL EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION
After 3 days of painting, artists will submit their work for exhibit and awards at a special show and reception on August 15.

The Great Chattahoochee River Paint out Exhibition & Reception will be held at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area at Island Ford August 15th.

Mary Williams
IT Manager
Historic Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau
617 Atlanta Street
Roswell, GA 30075
770-640-3253
www.visitroswellga.com

Dawn Kinney Martin Featured at the Decatur Gallery

La Falconara, Montipulciano, Italy 32 x 32

 Join me February 14th for the opening Reception at the Decatur Gallery 5pm - 10pm
What a perfect way to spend your Valentine's day, just swing by on
your way before or after your special dinner and
check out my new paintings from Europe.

Where:
The Decatur Gallery
153 Ponce de Leon PL
Decatur GA 30030
404 377 0755
www.decaturgallery.com

When:
Saturday , Feb 14th, 2008
5pm - 10pm

Great food, Great music and of course Great art!
Weather permitting, I'll be painting in front of the Gallery

Hope to see you there!
Dawn

www.dawnart.com
Goolge Map to Decatur Gallery

Happy Day! I finally finished my Cinque Terre painting

I began this painting in October and I never thought I would finish. I took this photo while hiking from Monterrossa al Mare to Vernazza in Cinque Terre, Italy. As you can see, the views were amazing. The black in white photo is the photo I have been working from. What an amazing time we had. I wish we were back!

Cheers,

Dawn

Hello 2009

It is great to be home from two weekends in Florida. The weather was a perfect 79 degrees, but is is great to be back home.

 Naples was pretty much uneventful. I sold one 15 x 15 painting " Rapids at Anna Ruby. Las Olas was a much better show. My big sale there was the "Cottage Retreat" 30 x 30 to  two wonderful gentlemen who live right on Las Olas Boulevard. They were a delight to meet and I am happy that my painting is going in their home.
The Cottage Retreat is a house in Atlanta that I jogged past one day and was taken with its charm. After my run, I drove back with my camera so that I could paint this lovely house. This painting was on of my mom's favorite, so she was sad to see it go. My other sale worth mentioning at Las Olas was the 15 x 15 of "Time to Celebrate" . This was a row house from New Orleans.

Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving Nov 2008

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We had family over and had our Thanksgiving meal picnic style in the back yard. 

It was great to catch up and share the day together.   Happy Thanksgiving - Dawn

Success in Covington, LA

I had a great show this weekend in Covington Louisiana!

Not only did I meet great new friends, I sold my most recent painting, Looking Over Montepulciano, 48" x 36", (shown to the left). The show was a true trial of patience and endurance. After driving 8 hours, I got myself signed into the show, the van unloaded and began to set up my display.  That is when I realized I had left my display tent in Atlanta. I called  and drove around Covington, trying to buy a tent for the weekend.  Not having any luck with a tent, a fellow artist noticed my distress and just happened to have an extra EZ up tent that he could loan me.  THANK YOU Michael Hayman.   http://haymancelticjewelry.com/  What a nice guy!

Well, It was a tent that I was not used to, so of course, I did not set up correctly. A wind storm can through over night and when I go to my tent the next morning all of my display wall were skewed  and twisted. Once again I was very lucky, The borrowed tent was not damaged nor were any of my paintings. I must of had an angel looking over me this weekend.

I had to break everything down and set up again.  The winds were still very strong but, neighboring artists helped keep things from flying while I pulled my work and walls out so that I could start over. I tell you, longest set up ever!  

My drama finally stopped and I had a great weekend. Thanks to all the folks that helped me out!

Cheers,

Dawn

Progress in the Studio Nov 7, 2008

Check out the progress I have made this week on the Cinque Terre Painting. This canvas is 48 x 36. I have made a bet with my painting class that I will be finished by January 6th.

Wish me luck!

Dawn

Happy holiday from painting class! Nov 2008

Happy holiday from painting class!

We had our last class on Election Day and will not start back up until January. So enjoy your break and I will see you next year!!!

 Spruill Day class* A mini class will be offered for Dec. 2nd - 16th
Cheers!

Dawn

Dawn wins award in Destin & picks up a new gallery!! Oct 28 , 2008

Lots of things happened this weekend in Destin. I won an award that came with a cash prize, sold a few paintings and picked up a new gallery. I also discover that doing out of town shows with other artist friends is a lot more fun that having dinner by yourself. Thanks Ann and Anita! All in all it was a good weekend. Of course one of the painting I did sell, was the "Wine Truck" that I was going to re photograph.(See next entry for photo of "Wine Truck").  It alway nice to sell a piece the first time it is shown.

I met Sandy from the Beau Spirt Gallery on Sunday and she expressed interest in my work. I decided to stop by on my way out of town and see what I thought of the gallery. I liked both her and the space. So, I signed a contract and left 5 painting to begin with. 

I am tickled that my paintings are getting attention. I will keep my fingers crossed and keep painting! 

Cheers!  Dawn

Paintings this week : Wine Truck Finished! Oct 2008

I finished the "Wine Truck" 20 x 20 this week. Oh joy! This is a great truck that I found out in front of a winery on the North Fork in Long Island.  I just could not pass up painting this charming scene. I wish that I had taken  a better photo of my painting,though. I had just put on the varnish  and you can really see a glare.  I will try to reshoot it.

I was so happy to finish the 48 x 36 painting of Montepulciano earlier in the week that I have  started two new paintings from Italy. The first one  you see is from hillside villages of Cinque Terre.  Cinque Terre is located on the Northwest coast of Italy.  I took this photograph as Rob and I hiked from Monterosso al Mara to Vernazza. As we were coming down the mountain separating the two villages I saw this breath taking view of Vernazza. I always work from black and white photos that I have taken.  Here you can see the paintings I am working on along with the black and white.

The other painting I started this week is from Montipulciano. This is a view I woke up to every morning. I will keep you posted to my progress on these two painting. It is so much fun working on these. I feel like I am back in Italy and it just relaxes me and makes me happy!

Cheers!!

Dawn

Dawn wins in Charlotte

This years Festival in the Park turned out to be a fabulous show. First I win an award that comes with a cash prize, then I meet a new collector of my work and have the best show in 3 years sales wise.

I know the economy is terrible, but this gives me hope!!!!! (make sure to notice that pretty ribbon)

Cheers!

Dawn

Mieko Horton Feature Student of the week! Sept 22, 2008

Long time Spruill Artist, Mieko Horton will be showing her work at The Other Room Septermber 10th - October 9th. The opening Reception is September 22nd from  6pm - 9pm.

Phone # NY 646 - 784 0940  You can also view her lovely work at http://www.artmieko.com/

Congratulation Mieko!!

See you in class next week,

Dawn

Great to be home!! Sept 5, 2008

Well, I am finally back in Atlanta. So Good to be home. The studio is still standing and it even looks like we have had some rain while I was gone. It is nice to see that the garden is still hanging in there. 

Rob has  started a new job with General and can you believe he had to leave town for a work trip on Thursday morning? He will be back on Saturday, so it could be worse. At least that gives me a chance to pile through the laundry, the stacks of mail on the desk and unload the van.   I have been fiddling with the look of the blog. Let me know if you like the changes.

Cheers!!

Dawn

Dawn's Book Reviews

I had no idea that Newport RI was such a busy tourist town. People and cars everywhere. Of course, there are rows of shops, restaurants and other fun things along the water to entice the people. I was going to tour the historic mansions in Newport today, but decided to just take a bike ride and pack up my campsite. I will do that next time. It is so nice to be in an area with scenic bike paths, I have to take advantage. These are photos I took along the way.
I am heading back to PA for one last show before heading home. This will be a 3 day show over Labor Day weekend in Harrisburg.

DAWN'S BOOK REVIEWS
I have read a few good books and a few bad books on the way.

The Bad and Ugly
Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods – Don't read it It was bad.

47th Samurai by Stephen Hunter, I have enjoyed some of his books in the past, but I cannot believe that a 60-year-old Billy Lee Swagger can be taught to be a Samurai fighter in a week. It was hard to make it through.

The Thumbs up Category

Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier, This is by the author of Pearl Earring. It was a well-written book. On the serious side, this book deals with the womens suffrage movement in England.

Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy, This book was a lot of fun. Each chapter was from the viewpoint of one character. Often the next chapter would be about the same story but from another characters point of view. It was often hysterical to read the conflicting views.

On Audio
Chasing Shadows: novellas from Transgressions by Walter Mosley and Joyce Carol Oates, The first novella by Walter Mosley was surprising coming from Walter Mosley. Every book I have read by him in the past had an angry black man as the central character. This story shows a softer side of Mosley. The main character is a small, insecure, intellectual young man working for and being bullied by an anarchist. Two thumbs up!
The second story by Joyce Carol Oates was a little disturbing. I put it in the okay category

Boomsday by Christopher Buckley, A really good book that deals with the absurdity American politic in a fictional setting. A Lot of laughs, but a little scary if you think about it.

The Dead Father Club by Matt Haig, This was on the serious / sad side, but well written. It deals with the unexpected death of a young boy’s Dad. It leaves the reader enough room to make up your own mind.

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins, a cute story. More for young adults, if you have kids, you would want them to be as nice as these.

Life the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams, always a lot of fun even if he does ramble a bit. If you have never read, listen to or seen any of his books, you should. His imagination is amazing.

I am now reading Henderson’s Spear by Ronald Wright and The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. Henderson’s Spear is hit or miss. Some parts are good. Some are tedious. The Memory of Running seems like it is going to be a winner.

Cheers!
Dawn

Pennsylvania to Rhode Island

Time is flying by and I will be home before I know it. Hooray!! Nothing like being away for over a month to make you truly appreciate your home and loved ones.

I had great weather in Mount Gretna but just  an okay show. Art sales art just slow right now, along with everything else in our economy.  I did come across a pretty pond that I think I can turn into a nice painting. That is alway exciting!

On the 19th, after a nice ride on a near by mountain bike trail, I headed in the direction of Rhode Island. I spent the night in Stamford Ct and walked around and did a little shopping before getting back on the road. Stamford had a nice downtown area were you could get out of your car and walk to anything you needed.

I arrived in RI around 3 and started put up the campsite. It is a nice campground and I can hear the ocean from my site. I will be here through next Wed. and then back to PA for my last art show of this series. There are a lot of really nice bike paths near me. On Thursday I went for a 25 mile ride long the bike paths. I had a great time. Boy was I tired when I finished.  The load in for the show was on Friday. I was an easy set up. As it turns out, it is an in door show. So I just had to put up my wall and not my tent. Nice!!  Once again, it was just an okay show. The people were so nice and the load in was so easy, I would do this show again as a filler between 2 other shows

WEEK 2 : ROCKY NECK STATE PARK, AUG 2008

Here are a few photos from the state park where I am staying while getting ready for the Mystic art show this weekend. This is such a fabulous state park!  I look forward to my stay each year. You have the marsh land, the ocean, tons of trails to hike or ride your bike, there are even paved paths that are blocked off from cars, so you can ride you bike really fast!!!

I am so luck to be able to visit all of these wonderful places and make living. Life is good!!!

Cheers! 

Dawn